1992 Buick Lesabre problems & reliability
189 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1992 Buick Lesabre. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
13 complaints report injuries (15 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1992 Buick Lesabre vehicles were involved in 4 fatal crashes with 5 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 63 | 33% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 26 | 14% |
| Electrical System | 21 | 11% |
| Power Train | 20 | 11% |
| Air Bags | 14 | 7% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 10 | 5% |
| Structure | 10 | 5% |
| Parking Brake | 9 | 5% |
| Unknown OR Other | 8 | 4% |
| Suspension | 5 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 1992 buick lesabre. The contact noticed coolant leaking from under the vehicle. While the parking brake was engaged, the contact had to depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling down an incline. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign numbers: 96v015000 (power train) and…”
Power Train · filed Jul 3, 2014
“1) driving on smooth pavement at 35mph, sudden and harsh thud was felt vehicle veered out of it's traffic lane, steering the vehicle was nearly impossible. Operated brake to stop vehicle. 2) inspection reveals both rear engine cradle mounting bolts failed, dropping engine/transaxle onto steering column, steering gear…”
Steering · filed Apr 24, 2009
“I own a 1992 buick lesbare limited that I was driving to work on the morning jan 14 2003. The temperature was below freezeing. I was about 3 miles from home when I happened to look in the rear view mirror and noticed a lot of smoke rolling out from under my car. I immediately pull over and turned the engine off. I…”
Power Train · filed Oct 3, 2008
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- FUEL LINE FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA93011 · opened May 3, 1993 · closed May 31, 1994
- BRAKE CALIPER CORROSION
Preliminary Evaluation PE92039 · opened Apr 15, 1992 · closed Aug 14, 1992
- FUEL LINE CONNECTOR FAILS
Preliminary Evaluation PE92010 · opened Jan 27, 1992 · closed May 22, 1992
Technical service bulletins
17 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1992 Buick Lesabre. The 10 most recent:
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
130089009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2013
Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3t40, 4t60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that is noticeable when standing in park on a hill or slope with the engine…
990730030A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2001
Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3t40, 4t60 or 4t60-e transxales may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that is noticeable when in park on incline. *tt
990730030 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1999
Some customers may comment that there is corrosion ( rust ) appearing on the left and /or right rocker panel(s). *yc
832006 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1998
Some customers may comment that the vehicle
98833005 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 1998
Information on growling noise in transaxle during first four minutes after start up. *yc
10001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 1998
Comments on inoperative power door locks (front and/or rear doors).
971101631041 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 1997
Excessive vibration of electrochromic inside rearview mirror. *tw
731608 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 1997
Cold start rattle noise (diagnosis/service procedure). *tw
577106A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1997
Cold start rattle noise. *tw
577106A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1996
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1992 Buick Lesabre in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1992 Buick Lesabre?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.